I was scanning the list of the 2025 U.S. Open Beer Championship Medal Winners and I noted: “15: Brut IPA Gold: Poppin’ Bottles – Flix Brewhouse – Des Moines – Iowa Silver: Like Falling Off a Bike – Christopher Burgess – Colorado Bronze: Summer IPA – Old Stump Brewing Co. – California” My initial reaction was: they are still making Brut IPAs!?! I had a few Brut IPAs in the past and for me these beers have been hit or miss, with more misses than hits. I can’t recall the last time I saw a Brut IPA on any of my local beer retailers’ shelves or the beer menu boards of local brewery taprooms. So, have any of you drank a Brut IPA recently? If so, what brand and how did it taste? Cheers!
I haven't noticed any, but then again I wasn't looking. Like the IPL before and the Cold IPA after, a flash in the pan trying to appeal to hopheads that might want something lighter. Session IPAs have really fallen off as well. The space is currently being filled by "West Coast" and "New Zealand" pilsners. "Italian" pilsners to some extent as well, and although I dislike the idea that they are their own style, it's a convenient shorthand, and I quite like them. I like German pilsners, and I like that they up the floral/herbal aspect. They should just be called dry-hopped pilsners, though.
You may be correct that the number of Session IPA brands has decreased (I really don’t know) but I still see big stacks of Founders All Day IPA at my local beer retailers. According to the internet: “Founders All Day IPA is a top-selling beer and a significant driver of sales for Founders Brewing Co. It's a popular choice, especially during warmer months, and is considered the brewery's most successful product. In fact, it accounts for over 50% of Founders' total sales.” Cheers!
Yup, same here, exactly what you're seeing. I've seen some Cold IPAs from the likes of Sierra Nevada and Sam Adams though. IPL's are completely dead outside of our local Jack's Abby Hoponious Union which is still on shelves. But I don't think it's even close to their best seller anymore, and likely not even considered their flagship either.
I think the last one I had was 3-4 years ago. Much like most other IPA/IPL trends, I feel like the majority of examples weren't great. I'm a believer that esters, even super mild ones, help a lot of hop flavors open up. When they aren't there, it just feels hollow. Fruity notes without and sweetness taste chalky and harsh. There are some exceptions (and I do enjoy dry-hopped pilsners that use noble hops), but overall I think the entire concept is a miss.
I bought/drank Old Nation B-43 Tangerine in February. It was crisp & dry and had some tangerine flavor. It was a good beer which I would buy if I were to see it again.
The sad (?) fact is that when it comes to Session IPAs I tend to be ‘blind’ since I have zero interest in these sorts of beers (too watery for my palate). I am only able to notice All Day IPA since they are typically in BIG stacks via floor display. I need to pay attention to them or otherwise trip. As I made mention above the overall Session IPA market may indeed be in decline. What I can say with certitude is I am spending zero dollars on these products. But Kudos to Founders for making ‘bank’ on a Session IPA. Cheers!
I haven't purchased a Brut IPA lately, but if I ever run across another one it'll be an automatic buy.
Yeah I see the B-43s and variants sold regularly out here at Binny's. Bought a grapefruit one not too long ago. It was good. Otherwise, I think it's a generally a faded trend.
For the situation of buying packaged beer (e.g., canned) I too would likely avoid it since for the most part I did not have great experiences with Brut IPAs in the past. But if I were to see a Brut IPA at a brewery's taproom I would ask for a sample taste and if I liked that sample I would order a pint. I do enjoy a well brewed Brut IPA but it seemed when these beers first came out the brewers had challenges making these beers. Cheers!
Brut came and went as a style brewers toyed with. Perhaps it was because hazy juice beer was taking off. And several attempts by bigger craft brewers that really fell flat probably didn't help. I haven't seen them in quite a few years. Probably pre-covid. But. I was surprised to see a good example of one last fall in Rose Moss by Hop Butcher.
I went to the Hop Butcher website to read: “Last Canned: June 18, 2024”. https://www.hopbutcher.com/rosemoss I guess not a popularly selling product for Hop Butcher? Cheers!
They're pretty rare here in Montana, but I do see 'em around from time to time. I actually had one from Lolo Peak Brewing (just south of Missoula) fairly recently, and it was by far the best I've ever had in the style
Yeah. Did you also notice how many other beers they happen to release, and also how many the Moss series of them includes?
